The Effect of Nudges, Visual Literacy and Their Interaction on Enhancing the Understanding of Process Models

Abstract

Visual information has several advantages over text. A process model consists of visual information. However, little is known about the contributing factors that influence the understanding of these process models. Visual literacy and nudges are two potential contributing factors to the ability to understand process models and reduce clutter. In this study, we researched by using an online questionnaire (N = 37) whether we could enhance the understanding of process models with the help of nudges, visual literacy and the interaction effects between the nudges and visual literacy. We executed a univariate ANOVA to compare the effect of the nudges on the understanding of process models with the two nudge conditions, visual literacy and all possible interactions as predictors. The results showed that nudges do not significantly influence the understanding of process models, whichwas not in line with our expectations. Visual literacy may have a significant influence, which aligns with our expectations. There was one significant interaction between visual literacy and the arrow nudge; however, not in the direction that we expected, therefore, not in line with our expectations. Given our small sample size, our significance could rest on a coincidence. We offer no open-and-shut conclusions about enhancing the understanding of process models with the help of nudges, visual literacy and the interaction effects between the nudges and visual literacy.